BioThrive connects young people with community-based ecological projects designed to reduce the impact of invasive plants on parklands, across northern Virginia. Invasive species often outcompete native plants for resources such as sunlight, water, and nutrients, leading to declines in native plant populations and disrupting local ecosystems. Scroll on to learn more about how we do it.

Plant this, Not that!

A young man wearing a maroon T-shirt and beige cargo shorts is using gloves and a tool to cut a strip of landscape fabric around a wooden stake in a grassy yard, with trees and bushes in the background.

Our Projects

Five young males standing outdoors in a natural setting, smiling with arms around each other's shoulders, with trees and bushes in the background.
Three young boys collecting plants or insects in a dense, green forested area, using gloves and tools.
White logo of a tree next to the text 'McLean Trees Foundation' on a black background.
Logo for Volunteer Alexandria with a stylized tree made of multicolored circles and the words 'Volunteer Alexandria' with additional text 'Inspire, Mobilize, Connect' and 'Global Network Affiliate'.
Youth standing on a rocky mountaintop with arms raised, overlooking scenic mountain landscape with cloudy sky.
A person picking up sticks in a dense forest with tall trees and green leaves, sunlight filtering through the canopy.
People working in a dense forest surrounded by tall trees and green foliage.
Group of people standing outdoors near trees, listening to a man speak, with a red and white sign that says 'Private Property' in the background.
A person wearing a gray cap, white long-sleeve shirt, black pants, and white sneakers is using a handheld tool to examine or cut a vine on a large tree in a dense forest with green leaves and sunlight filtering through.
Two women standing under a tree in a grassy park. One woman in a bright yellow shirt appears to be explaining something, while the other in a white shirt and cap listens, both wearing gloves.
Group of people in a forest, listening to an older man with a straw hat, who appears to be giving a demonstration or lecture about nature or gardening. Some individuals are holding tools, and the setting is lush with green foliage.
A group of six people planting a young tree outdoors in a park during autumn, some holding a tarp around the base of the tree, with gardening tools, soil, and a water container nearby.
A pile of black trash bags filled with yard debris and green branches on a grassy area under a tree, with trees, a street, traffic signs, and a white fence in the background.
A woman in a floral shirt and straw hat holding a pamphlet, giving a thumbs-up, standing next to a young man in a maroon shirt at an outdoor plant and tree organization booth called McLean Trees Foundation. Several people are seated and standing around the booth under a white canopy with a banner, with trees and grass in the background.
Two individuals working in a dense forest. One person in a white shirt and cap is using a tool on a vine, while another person in a pink shirt with their back turned is partially obscured by a large tree trunk.
A group of volunteer weed warriors standing on the side of a forested road, holding tools and a green sign that reads, "Weed Warriors at Work, Volunteers Needed!" They are dressed in outdoor clothing and hats, surrounded by lush green trees and foliage.
Three young men standing together in a lush forest. They are dressed casually, with gloves and holding pruning or gardening tools, indicating they may be working on a conservation or planting activity.
Group of young people standing outdoors in a park, some wearing gloves and holding water bottles, gathered under the shade of trees.